JULIEN DONKEY-BOY
Year: 1999
USA: Independent Pictures
UK: Metro Tartan Distribution
Cast: Ewen Bremner, Chloë Sevigny, Werner Herzog, Evan Neumann, Joyce Korine, Chrissy Kobylak, Brian Fisk, Miriam Martinez, Edgar Erikkson, James Moix, Victor Varnado, Oliver A Bueno, Roger Harris, Ruby Rodriguez, Josseph Padilla, Olivia Perez, Freddie Perez, Carmel Gayle, Carmelo Rodriguez, Virginia Reath, Mary O'Hara, Alvin Law, Donna Smith, Gary Berman, Herman Reimmer, Johnie Mae Allen, Tom Mullica, Timothy Allen, George Ashiotis, Benjamin Butler, Eternal Divine, Edery Herrera, Joneiry Delarosa, Xenophon A Theophall, Archie MacGregor, Jeanmarie Evans, Ricky Ashley, Courtney DeBlis, Marybeth Grunstra, Heidi Vanderhoof, Hy Richards, Barry Benjamin Wernick, Clinton Wright, Carmela Garcia, Punky
Director: Harmony Korine
Country: USA
USA: 94 mins
UK: 99 mins
USA Rating: R for language, some sexuality and disturbing images
UK Certificate: 15 for strong language and some sex references
USA Release Date: 8 October 1999
UK Release Date: 29 September 2000
Synopsis
Julien works as an attendant in a school for the blind, helping the vision-impaired as they learn to navigate the world around them. Julien is also a schizophrenic who lives with his pregnant sister Pearl, his high school athlete brother Chris, his grandmother, and his overbearing, abusive father.
As the film opens, Julien stumbles upon a small boy playing with several turtles he has found in the woods. A mysterious and unexplained act of violence follows as Julien impulsively attacks the boy.
Afterwards, Julien drifts back to his day to day activities. But, as he tries to provide comfort to his sister while also befriending a young blind ice-skater, Julien's internal struggle increases in intensity until the film's shocking and bizarrely transcendent conclusion.